Andre Leon Talley

An American fashion stylist and the editor-at-large of vogue magazine,

Talley advocated for diversity in fashion, was the author of three books, and was the stylist for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. He grew up in the Jim Crow era South, and he was raised by his grandparents. Talley’s love of fashion was nurtured by his grandmother, and he found further inspiration upon discovering Vogue magazine in a local library when he was a child.

Talley went to North Carolina Central University and Brown, and got his start in fashion working at MOMA. Talley went on to work for the New York Times, Ebony, W, among many other publications. Everywhere that Talley went, he advocated for diversity in the industry, and made a reputation of supporting emerging designers. Talley left us earlier this year, but his legacy as a fashion icon lives on. You can read his biography “Chiffon Trenches,” or learn more about the documentary “The Gospel According to Andre” at the links below.